Return to Solitude

Valerie’s POV

“Stay safe, okay?” Mr Finch stood by the door, voice calm but carrying the kind of worry he didn’t want to show. He gave me that small smile, the kind that said he’d rather not let me go, but he wouldn’t stop me either.

“Anytime you feel scared, you have the rosary—just pray on it,” Mrs Finch added, her tone soft, warm. Her eyes, though, were glassy. Like she wanted to say more, but